Help lowering phosphates

[dankbardy31]

Hey everyone,
I have a 6 week old 24g jbj nano cube. My phosphates have been between 1.0 and 2.0 for the last couple of weeks. I was wondering what is out there and recommended to lower these to zero. There are no corals in the tank yet just a blue damsel, cleaner shrimp, turbos, ceriths, and nassarius snails.
For filtration I use filter floss, chemi pure, ammonia removing stones and medical stones (recommended from LFS), and Chaeto. Have about 20 lbs of live sand and about 25+ pounds of live rock.
Any help would be appreciated. reply or PM. Thanks
-Justin

 

[twistedenvy]

when I bought my tank established off of CL, my phosphates were at the highest level the test would go. I went to the LFS and picked up some green filter floss that is specifically for phosphates. since my phosphates have gone down to around 1 or 2, but I, too, am having issues getting it to go lower.

 

[renogaw]

not much will remove phosphates down to zero, and actually a small amount of phosphates is nice to have in the tank--i believe certain bacteria need the phosphates, as do coral and macro algae to grow.
pretty much the only way to lower your phosphates any more would be to stop feeding your fish. I'm betting you're using frozen cubes, or flake food. there are a bunch of phosphates in those foods.
there are little phosphate removers that can go in your sump though, or you could even DIY a phosphate cannister.

 

[renogaw]

Originally Posted by dankbardy31
http:///forum/post/3042329
For filtration I use filter floss, chemi pure, ammonia removing stones and medical stones (recommended from LFS), and Chaeto. Have about 20 lbs of live sand and about 25+ pounds of live rock.
Any help would be appreciated. reply or PM. Thanks
-Justin
stop wasting your money on the red items... your live rock and sand will get rid of your ammonia, and medical stones??? i've not heard of them in 2+ years...

 

[number1gsxxr]

google 'phosphate reduction in reef' and click on the second link that comes up. Pay particular attention to the section titled Phosphate Export Using Binding Media. This site sells a few different brands of media that will remove phosphates.
You can do a water change to bring the levels down but you need to get to the bottom of the source of the phosphates. What type of food and how much are you feeding. When I first startd out with my 24-gal Aquapod I used to just jump the frozen mysis in there without rinsing it first. I think I was also feeding too much.

 

[dankbardy31]

I feed these small garlic scented pellets every other day and small pieces of silversides for my cleaner shrimp. I am wondering which product to use:
Phos ban?
Phos zorb?
etc.

 

[renogaw]

i put phosban in a filter sack and put it in the last baffle out of the sump

 

[dankbardy31]

Thanks #1
I will certainly check it out.

 

[soulsigma]

Originally Posted by dankbardy31
http:///forum/post/3042329
Hey everyone,
I have a 6 week old 24g jbj nano cube. My phosphates have been between 1.0 and 2.0 for the last couple of weeks. I was wondering what is out there and recommended to lower these to zero. There are no corals in the tank yet just a blue damsel, cleaner shrimp, turbos, ceriths, and nassarius snails.
For filtration I use filter floss, chemi pure, ammonia removing stones and medical stones (recommended from LFS), and Chaeto. Have about 20 lbs of live sand and about 25+ pounds of live rock.
Any help would be appreciated. reply or PM. Thanks
-Justin

Did you know that your algae problem may actually be a phosphate problem? Maximum Power Phos is a quick and easy way to take care of that problem. Place the Maximum Power Phos in your current filter, or for the best results, place it in a Phos Reactor. Long lasting and effective phosphate control.
Each 150 grams will reduce up to 1.0 ppm phosphate to near zero in 150 gallons of saltwater or up to 300 gallons in freshwater.
Before use rinse in running purified water until clear.
It must remain wet to retain effectiveness; if not using the entire contents of this jar at once, cap tightly.
For maximum effectiveness, media should be placed in an area of high water flow, ideal use is inside the Kent Marine Phos-Reactor, which causes this media to fluidize and exposes it to water in the system faster, increasing the rate of phosphate and silicate removal.
Otherwise, place the media (inside included bag) in an area of high water flow.
Do not allow media to become dispersed throughout aquarium or pond.
Water may temporarily discolor when this media is first used; this will not harm aquatic organisms.
Monitor pH and alkalinity during use and adjust as necessary.
The media may be left in the system until the phosphate concentration begins to rise (this may be a period of several months), at which time the media should be replaced.
It may be used in quantities up to 5 times that recommended to decrease excessively-high concentrations of phosphate. Works Like a /champ for Me

 

[dankbardy31]

Thank You!